Phoenix Cuts Ties With Law Firm; Former Governor’s Politics Play Role

Published: Monday, December 26, 2016 - 5:05am
Updated: Monday, December 26, 2016 - 3:52pm
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After four years, Phoenix has cut ties with a law firm that lobbied on the city’s behalf at the state Legislature. The politics involving former Gov. Jan Brewer played a role in the votes of at least two council members.

Many roll-call votes at Phoenix City Council meetings are straightforward, but when they involve contracts with consultants and lobbyists, the roll call typically slows as Councilmen Jim Waring and Sal DiCiccio voice their ongoing opposition to such deals. That’s what happened on Dec. 14.

“I vote against all these contracts,” Waring said. “But it is not a reflection on the individuals involved.”

“I think that it’s the wrong place to be spending our money,” DiCiccio said.

When it came to a vote on a contract involving the firm, Ballard Spahr, more opposition emerged — not over the $108,000 annual price tag, but over Brewer’s politics. Brewer works as a consultant for the firm, and that’s why Vice Mayor Kate Gallego voted against the deal. 

“Jan Brewer has been very involved with the campaign of Donald Trump and defended statements that he made that I found very objectionable,” she said.

Councilman Michael Nowakowski mentioned Brewer’s role in Arizona’s controversial immigration law. “The past governor actually supported SB 1070, and that was something that affected the city of Phoenix, affected our convention center, so I’ll be voting no on that also.” 

Without commenting, Councilwomen Laura Pastor and Deb Stark also voted no, and the deal failed by a vote of 6-3.  Ballard Spahr focuses on criminal justice and public-safety issues, representing the police and fire departments. The current contract expires at the end of December. 

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